WALES hosted a record-breaker yesterday, who had run the jaw-dropping distance of more than 153 miles in just 24 hours.

By the end they were calling Lizzy Hawker “Superwoman” as she kicked off the Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championship in Llandudno with a world record.

The crowds watched in amazement as the diminutive English athlete, who lives in Switzerland, smashed the 18-year-old world record by a full three kilometres as she ended 24 hours of pain and glory on Gloddaith Avenue by covering 246.4080km – just over 153 miles.

Not only that, she was making her debut in the endurance event and came home ahead of all the men.

But it was still a proud day for Wales as John Pares, from Mold, picked up the Commonwealth Men’s race gold medal, although he ended three kilometres short of Hawker.

“It was an honour to have been in the same race as Lizzy. She is a world-class athlete – Superwoman!” admitted Pares, who also covered more than 150 miles with his 243.3km.

“I stopped for a massage at midnight and she went past me. Then I had to decide whether or not to try to beat her and blow my chances of the gold medal, or just concentrate on my own race.

“In the end, I just focussed on winning the title for Wales. I’ve twice run further than her in this event, but she was simply fantastic over the two days.”

The 35-year-old Hawker, who won the Mont Blanc Mountain and Trail race over 125 miles only four weeks ago, admits to having first fallen in love with the mountains and running when she first saw the Matterhorn aged six.

Helped along with a diet of banana bread, a combination of jam and cheese sandwiches and melon, the ultra-runner held a two-lap lead over Pares by the end.

“It did hurt – a lot – but I’m really pleased to have won and taken the world record.

“It was also great to demonstrate just what women athletes can achieve by beating all the men,” added Hawker.